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Notes: The authors examined the pattern of Anaplasma phagocytophilum msp2 expression, a gene that modulates with little immune pressure and has decreased virulence with prolonged in vitro passage. C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with HL-60 cells infected with low-passage (passage 5) or high-passage (passage 26). Blood samples were taken 2–21 days post-inoculation, and total RNA was isolated. The purified RNA was subjected to RT-PCR, cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy Vector, transformed and plated. Plasmids were purified using the Wizard® SV 96 Plasmid DNA Purification System, and the insert size analyzed after EcoRI digestion. The inserts were sequenced, aligned with A. phagocytophilum Webster strain msp2 references using ClustalX and the diversity of msp2 transcripts divided into low- or high-passage bacteria. (3975)

Notes: Snail is a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin that enhances both cell attachment and cell detachment in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and A4231 cells. To investigate this effect, the authors used Western blot analysis and RT-PCR to monitor protein and mRNA levels of the major adhesive proteins expressed in epithelial cells: laminin, heparin sulfate proteoglycan and collagens. For RT-PCR, total RNA was isolated from transiently transfected snail-expressing MDCK and A431 cells and untransfected cells, then reverse transcribed. The resulting cDNA was amplified by PCR using GoTaq® DNA Polymerase; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was amplified as an internal control. The ability of Snail to regulate the integrin αV promoter was also examined by cloning the promoter and several promoter deletions upstream of a firefly luciferase reporter gene in the pGL3-Basic Vector. Each of these constructs (1µg) and 20ng of pRL-CMV Vector were transfected into MDCK and MDCK/snail cells, and luminescence was measured using the Dual Luciferase Assay System. (3882)

Notes: The authors wanted to purify and characterize the capsular polysaccharide (CP) produced by Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain JCSC1435. S. haemolyticus strains grown in TSB cultures were harvested, lysed with lysozyme and lysostaphin and genomic DNA isolated using the Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit. The DNA was then used in CP gene PCR. Total RNA was isolated from exponential, postexponential, and stationary phases of S. haemolyticus growth and used in RT-PCR using the Access RT-PCR System. (3977)

Notes: Sulfatide is present in mammalian organs where influenza A replicates. Ceramide galactosyltransferase (CGT) and cerebroside (galactosylceramide) sulfotransferase (CST), which synthesize sulfatide, were cloned by PCR into the pTargeT™ Mammalian Expression Vector and the pGEM®-T Easy Vector, (CST with or without a three base insertion), respectively. The two genes were removed by restriction digestion and cloned into pIRES-neo to forma bicistronic construct. Arylsulfatase A (ASA), which degrades sulfatide was also amplified and cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy Vector, before being subcloned into a neomycin-resistant expression vector. The expression vectors were transfected into COS-7 cells and selected for stable expression using G418. (3990)

Notes: To sequence the mitochondrial genome one of the most widespread and common collembolan species of Antarctica, springtail Cryptopygus antarcticus. Specimens were collected from Killingbeck I during a 2002 polar expedition and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The Wizard® SV Genomic Purification System was used to extract total DNA from the samples and the complete mitochondrial genome was amplified twice, first with universal primers and sequenced, and then using long PCR with specific primers. The long PCR products were mechanically sheared, blunt end repaired and purified using the Wizard® SV Gel and PCR Clean-Up System. The fragments were then cloned, transformed and sequenced. (3976)

Notes: The authors investigated the expression pattern of type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (type 1a GHSR), a receptor for ghrelin. In situ RT-PCR was performed on paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded mouse spinal cord tissue. Prior to in situ RT-PCR, tissue sections were treated with proteinase K and triethanolamine, then dewaxed. Reverse transcription was performed using the Reverse Transcription System and oligo (dT)15 primers; followed by amplification using the PCR Master Mix in the presence of 11-digoxygenin-dUTP (1mM). Amplification products were detected using an anti-digoxygenin, alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat antibody and nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo-3-indolylphosphate-p-toluidine salt (NBT/BCIP). (3968)

Notes: Natural rubber-degrading bacteria fall into two categories: those forming clearing zones on latex overlay plates and those that do not. To investigate this degradation process, the authors amplified latex-clearing protein (lcp) homologs from non-clearing-zone-forming bacteria using degenerate PCR primers based on lcp sequences from clearing-zone forming species. The 3´ region of the lcp gene in G. westfalica was amplified by nested PCR using biotinylated primers, and the amplified products were cloned in the pGEM®-T Easy Vector and sequenced using universal M13 forward and reverse primers. (3907)

Notes: The mutation responsible for the hairless phenotype was linked to a 80kb deletion of chromosome 7q36. Because many basic keratin genes are located at 7q36, the authors examined keratin gene expression in the Hirosaki hairless rat using RT-PCR. Expression of kb21, kb23 and kb26 was not detected, whereas other basic keratin genes were expressed. RT-PCR was performed using the AccessQuick™ RT-PCR System and 0.5µg of total RNA isolated from rat skin for 21–30 cycles. (3887)

Notes: These authors used computational biology to screen the genome of the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) homologs. They identified several SUMO and SUMO-like sequences. One of these proteins, crSUMO96, which was recognized by the A. thaliana anti-SUMO antibody, was studied in detail. During their studies, the authors used the PureYield™ RNA Midiprep System to isolate total RNA from C. reinhardtii cells. This RNA was used in real-time RT-RCR assays to detect mRNA transcripts for the various SUMO-like proteins. The Plexor® Two-Step qRT-PCR System was used for the real-time assays. For expression studies, cDNA encoding the various proteins was amplified and subcloned into the pGEM®-T Easy Vector before transfer into an expression vector. (3875)

Notes: The authors analyzed the transcriptional activity of wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cultures sampled at different time points during the aerobic and anaerobic phase of the photobiological hydrogen production process under sulfur-depleted conditions. C. reinhardtii were grown in photobioreactors, carefully extracted, centrifuged and flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. RNA was purified using the SV Total RNA Isolation System following the plant centrifugation protocol without sample grinding. The eluted RNA was quantitated and integrity checked by gel electrophoresis and qRT-PCR. Total RNA was used to synthesize labeled cDNA using the ChipShot™ Indirect Labeling and Clean-Up System. The labeled cDNA was used for probing microarrays. (4022)

Notes: The authors infected Drosophila S2 cells with Ehrlichia chaffeensis to determine if Drosophila is a model system to study E. chaffeensis pathogenesis. E. chaffeensis was also grown in canine macrophage-like DH82 cells, the most common host cell line. Infections were assessed by RT-PCR using the Access RT-PCR System, 0.5–1.0µg of RNA and primers specific to the E. chaffeensis 16S rRNA gene. Housekeeping genes for ribosomal protein 49 and canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were amplified as control targets for Drosophila and DH82 cells, respectively. Negative controls without reverse transcriptase were performed to be sure that DNA was absent from the RNA samples. (3888)

Notes: The authors examined the regulatory effect of 13-cis-retanoic acid (13-cis-RA) on genes that encode proteins involved in serotonergic neurotransmission in the RN46A-B14 cell line, which was derived from rat embryonic raphe nuclei. Northern blot analysis was performed to quantitate mRNA levels of these genes in 13-cis-RA-treated and untreated cells. cDNA templates for generating Northern blot probes were synthesized by reverse transcription using the Reverse Transcription System followed by PCR. The Reverse Transcription System was also used in RT-PCR to check for the expression of retinoic acid and retinoid X receptors (RAR and RXR, respectively) in RN46A-B14 cells. Briefly, 1µg of total RNA was treated with DNase, reverse transcribed using oligo (dT) primers, then amplified by PCR using RARα, RARβ, RXRα, RXRβ/γ primers. (3790)

Notes: In this paper, the authors hypothesized that bisphosphonates, which are used to prevent tumor metastasis, affect expression of urokinasetype plasminogen activator (uPA), which seems to be critical for prostate cancer metastasis. The authors examined the effect of several bisphosphonates on uPA expression in PC-3 cells. Pamidronate treatment resulted in lower uPA mRNA levels. To investigate the cause, the authors created a uPA reporter construct (pGL3-uPA) by cloning the 5′-flanking region of the human uPA gene upstream of a firefly luciferase reporter gene in the pGL3-Basic Vector. PC-3 cells were seeded at a density of 3 × 104 cells/well in 24-well culture plates and transfected with 0.5µg of pGL3-uPA and 1ng of the Renilla luciferase phRL-TK Vector using FuGENE® 6 Transfection Reagent. At 48 hours post-transfection, the authors measured reporter activity using the Dual-Luciferase® Reporter Assay System to learn that treatment with 100µM pamidronate inhibited transcription of the uPA gene. (4384)

Notes: The authors of this paper introduce a luminescent assay to monitor changes in cellular cAMP concentration. The assay can be used to study the activity of G-protein coupled receptors that modulate adenylate cyclase activity. The assay is compatible with high-throughput screening in 96-, 384- and 1536-well formats. (3928)

Notes: PDILT is a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) homolog under developmental control and is induced during puberty. To determine whether PDILT expression coincides with the first wave of spermatogenesis, the authors examined expression of PDILT in 2-, 15-, 30-, 45- and 58-day old rats using RT-PCR. Total RNA was isolated from rat testis, and 50ng was amplified using the AccessQuick™ RT-PCR System and primer pairs specific for PDILT, PDI and calmegin, a testis-specific chaperone that is expressed upon the appearance of spermatocytes. Primer pairs were designed to span introns to avoid amplification of genomic DNA. PCR products were analyzed on a 1% agarose gel. Results showed that PDILT mRNA was first detected during the onset of spermatogenesis. (3765)

Development134, 2889–2894.
A discrete period of FGF-induced Erk1/2 signalling is required for vertebrate neural specification.2007

Stavridis, M.P., Lunn, J.S., Collins, B.J. and Storey, K.G.

Notes: The authors studied the role of the Erk1/2 signaling pathway during neural specification in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Undifferentiated ES cells express high levels of the pluripotent marker Nanog but do not express fibroblast growth factor (Fgf5), an early marker of differentiation of ES cells, or Sox1, an early neural transcription factor gene. Using quantiative PCR, levels of Nanog, Fgf5 and Sox1 mRNA were quantitated during ES differentiation in the presence and absence of a MEK inhibitor. Prior to quantitative PCR, 1µg of total RNA was reverse transcribed using ImProm-II™ Reverse Transcriptase. By measuring these mRNA levels, the authors determined that inhibition of the Erk1/2 pathway blocked ES differentiation. (3726)

Notes: The authors identified a novel subunit of the voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel (CaV1.2) with a cysteine-rich N-terminus using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5´ RACE). The 5´ RACE products were amplified using nested PCR, then cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy Vector and sequenced using the T7 Promoter Primer. (3801)

Notes: The authors developed an assay to evaluate antiviral compounds for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. EBV DNA was isolated using the Wizard® SV 96 Genomic DNA Purification System, and 5µl was used for real-time PCR to quantify the viral DNA. Cytotoxicity of the antiviral compounds was assessed using treated, uninfected Akata cells compared to those with no treatment or infection. After three days when the viral DNA was harvested, cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay. (3761)

Notes: To study the role of connexin42 (cx43) in testis development, the authors generated a conditional cx43 knockout mouse, which lacked the cx43 gene in Sertoli cells. To confirm that the cx43 gene was deleted in these mice, PCR was performed using primers specific to cx43, 1X Colorless GoTaq® Flexi Reaction Buffer, 2mM MgCl2, dNTPs and 0.15µl of GoTaq® DNA Polymerase. Tissue-specific deletion of cx43 was confirmed by amplifying RNA isolated from mouse testis, heart and tail was also confirmed using the same PCR components. (3713)

Notes: This study investigated protein expression profiles in tumors from breast cancer brain metastases. Circulating tumor cells were isolated from a patient with stage IV breast cancer and injected into SCID mice. Tumor cells were then recovered from brain and bone lesions that subsequently developed in these mice. The protein expression profiles of the parent cell line were then compared with those from brain and bone tumors. More than 300 proteins that were up- or down-regulated in the brain tumor cells were identified. Classification of these proteins by function revealed that the majority were associated with cellular metabolism. Sixty-three differentially expressed proteins, including mainly cellular redox-active proteins and proteins involved in glucose and fatty acid oxidation, were selected for further study. Based on the expression data, a metabolic profile of brain metastatic cells was generated. Up-regulation of genes involved in oxidative energy metabolism as indicated by the proteomic analysis was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Consistent with the observation of increased glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, the authors also found that levels of cellular ATP were increased in cells from brain metastases. The CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay was used to measure ATP levels in the primary, bone, and brain-derived tumor cells. The authors suggest that adaptation of the tumor cell energy metabolism is a key development in breast cancer brain metastasis. (3613)

Notes: The authors examined the role of ceramide and NF-κB in age-related adipose tissue inflammation in mice. Levels of inflammation-associated molecules, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ mRNA, were quantified by quantitive PCR (qPCR). RNA was isolated from adipose tissues, and first-strand cDNA was synthesized using the Reverse Transcription System prior to qPCR. mRNA levels were also quantified in peritoneal macrophages grown in the presence of young adipocyte-conditioned medium and old adipocyte-conditioned medium. Viability of the primary adipocytes used in these experiments was confirmed using the CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay and CytoTox 96® Non-Radioactive Cytotoxicity Assay. (3777)

Notes: The authors determined the allele frequencies for 21 autosomal STR loci in 936 individuals from the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan using the AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® kit, PowerPlex® 16 System and the F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, LPL (FFFL) Multiplex. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples using the Autopure LS® kit and amplified as directed by the manufacturers. Amplified products were detected using an ABI PRISM® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. (3822)

Notes: Allele frequency data for 21 autosomal loci was studied in 953 unrelated individuals belonging to 12 major Nepalese groups. DNA was extracted from whole blood using the Autopure LS® kit, then amplified using the PowerPlex® 16 System, AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® kit or F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, LPL Multiplex (FFFL) Multiplex. Amplification products were analyzed using the ABI PRISM® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Several new alleles not reported in the NIST short tandem repeat database were detected in this population. (3811)

Notes: The authors tested their hypothesis that Na+-H+ exchangers (NHE) are involved in the formation of multicullar dome structures in confluent Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and that the Stat3 pathway is involved in regulation of NHEs. The authors performed semi-quantitative RT-PCR to monitor NHE3 mRNA levels in MDCK cells expressing a constitutive Stat3 mutant or a dominant-negative Stat3 mutant. The reverse transcription step was performed using Promega M-MLV Reverse Transcriptase. RAlso, Stat3 activities in low-density cultures and high-density cultures were compared using a reporter gene assay. Four copies of the Stat3-binding site were cloned upstream of a firefly luciferase reporter gene, and the resulting vector, along with the pRL-TK Vector for normalization, were transfected into MDCK cells. Luciferase activities were measured using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System. (3910)

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